Letter, Hallie Cruse to Maria Walker; 9/3/1861

              Huntsville Sep 3rd /61
My own Dearest Sister
                       It has been both my desire and intention to write to you for some time, as long and newsy a letter as these troublous war times would admit of, but many things, and numerous interruptions have transpired since my letter to Kate to give me a good excuse for not writing, and then too I thought you would much prefer my waiting until after Sister Mary & Mrs Rice should arrive, as this would be one item that would prevent my letter being prosaic to you. I can scarcely realize that it has been my lot to see them once more since their grand European tour, and I fear now though heretofore insignificant, I will be more than ever thrown in the shade by my travelled Sister. What is to become of me? is there none to pity? none to compassionate? I feel smaller in my intellectual calibre than ever. do in mercy give me some recipe, give me something, to cause me to be somewhat self opinionated. Poor Mrs Rice from my very soul do I pity her instead of